Apple to Reject India's Cyber Safety App, Sparking Privacy Concerns and Backlash

Yesterday, news broke that the Indian government is pushing smartphone makers to preload a state-backed cyber safety app, Sanchar Saathi, on every new device sold.

The app’s mission? To track stolen phones, block their use, and ensure they don’t end up in the wrong hands.

Companies are reportedly given 90 days to comply, but according to a Reuters report, Apple isn’t playing along.

The tech giant is said to have plans to reject the order to preload the app onto its iPhones.

Apple is expected to tell the Indian government that it doesn’t comply with such orders anywhere, citing concerns over privacy and security within its iOS ecosystem.

According to two industry sources familiar with the matter, this stance is rooted in the potential risks posed to its platform.

The app has sparked significant backlash in India, prompting the country’s telecom minister to defend it as a “voluntary and democratic” system. He reassured users that they could deactivate it or "easily delete it at any time." 

However, this claim seems at odds with the November 28 government directive, which ordered smartphone makers to preload the app and ensure that its functionalities cannot be disabled or restricted.

The app has sparked significant backlash in India, prompting the country’s telecom minister to defend it as a “voluntary and democratic” system. He reassured users that they could deactivate it or "easily delete it at any time."

However, this claim seems at odds with the November 28 government directive, which ordered smartphone makers to preload the app and ensure that its functionalities cannot be disabled or restricted.